Board hears updates on backpack food program, upcoming parent workshop and student activities

Board members heard several community and student-support updates during the administrative reports.

Valerie described the district’s backpack program and said, “So far, we have had close to 8,500 lb of food that we have picked up for the backpack,” noting the program had logged roughly 374 miles of pickups this year and currently provides weekend food for about 225 students weekly; the most recent distribution served close to 1,000 families, she said. The board clarified that donations were nonperishable food items rather than cash.

Marilyn Cole of Workforce Development Global Alliance invited board members to the Get Up Summit scheduled for Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., encouraging board attendance and student participation. She described the event as a student-centered program to promote engagement and career readiness.

Administrators and board members also highlighted recent student recognitions: participants in the PA Music Educators Association orchestra festival, National History Day placements, and robotics teams that qualified for upcoming SeaPerch and field competitions. Board members thanked community partners (including Chick‑fil‑A) for supporting events.

The board confirmed a parent workshop about digital media and online safety, presented by Shape the Sky (presenter named in the materials as Ryan Klingan Smith). Administrators said the event will be adults-only and take place April 14 at 6 p.m. at Gateway Middle School and that they plan to advertise via Skyward, ParentSquare and district social channels.

Board members praised staff and volunteers for program work and asked administrators to share logistics and outreach plans ahead of events.